A national convention of law students held in Prayagraj on Sunday called for affordable and quality legal education, greater employment opportunities and protection of constitutional and democratic rights.
Organised on the initiative of AIDSO at Sardar Patel Seva Sansthan in Alopibagh, the convention brought together law student representatives from 22 states. Senior Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan, retired Supreme Court judge Justice J Chelameswar, CPDRS national vice-president Dwarkanath Rath and AIDSO general secretary Shivashish Prahraj were among the key speakers.
Justice Chelameswar expressed concern over the rising cost and declining quality of legal education. He said legal ethics and professional values were also being eroded and maintained that corruption and unethical practices had affected the standing of the legal profession. He also voiced concern over what he described as the weakening of democratic and secular values in the judicial system.
Bhushan alleged that democratic rights were being undermined and stressed the need to ensure that every citizen was able to exercise constitutional rights. He said promoting secular values was essential for fostering tolerance and claimed that those raising their voices on public issues were increasingly facing action.
He also questioned the credibility of appointments to constitutional bodies, including that of the Election Commissioner, and alleged that a large number of eligible voters had been removed from electoral rolls during verification exercises. He urged young lawyers and law students to play an active role in defending civil liberties, democratic rights and professional ethics.
CPDRS national vice-president Dwarkanath Rath called upon students and youths to mobilise for the protection of constitutional and democratic rights.
AIDSO general secretary Shivashish Prahraj said problems affecting legal education were closely linked to the functioning of the judicial system. Referring to the large number of cases pending before courts across the country, he said legal education should not merely prepare students for employment but should also sensitise them to democratic rights, secularism and professional ethics.
The convention also discussed high fees, scholarships, internships, employment opportunities, inadequate infrastructure and inequalities within the legal profession. Speakers called for measures to make legal education affordable and accessible while improving its quality and strengthening professional and ethical standards.
